• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Virgil van Dijk reacts to report on why Liverpool star Cody Gakpo withdrew from Netherlands squad

Home> Football

Published 20:43 23 Mar 2023 GMT

Virgil van Dijk reacts to report on why Liverpool star Cody Gakpo withdrew from Netherlands squad

Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk has addressed Cody Gakpo's Netherlands withdrawal.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk has partially dismissed a report that a 'chicken curry' was the reason behind Cody Gakpo's withdrawal from the Netherlands squad.

Gakpo was one of five players to pull out of the squad with a viral infection on Thursday morning. Newcastle's Sven Botman and Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt were among the other players affected.

Gakpo's withdrawal will surely have sparked concern among Reds boss Jurgen Klopp and his medical staff, with the Dutch international beginning to show his full potential in a centre forward role at Anfield.

Advert

He netted a brace in the 7-0 win over Manchester United at Anfield earlier this month, and earned the player of the match award.

But he will not feature in Netherlands' upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against France and Gibraltar, their first fixtures under the new management of Ronald Koeman.

Speaking prior to the game, Van Dijk has - at this stage, at least - quashed one rumour behind why the players withdrew.

Van Dijk dismisses Gakpo claim

De Telegraaf journalist Mike Verweij claimed that members of the Dutch contingent are 'convinced' that a 'chicken curry' served in the team hotel was the reason behind Gakpo and a number of team-mates being forced to withdraw.

Advert

But speaking to Dutch outlet NOS on Thursday, Van Dijk stated he didn't know where that story had come from - and that the cause of the viral infection had not yet been learned.

He explained: "I don't know where that story comes from. I also ate chicken curry myself and it was delicious.

"Whether that is the cause? No idea. No-one has an idea. I can't imagine. It was very strange.

"In our group app, messages suddenly came through that some boys were going home, that they were ill. That was a bit of a shock."

Advert

Liverpool will hope that Gakpo recovers in time for their next Premier League fixtures. They take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on April 1.

They then embark a trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on April 4, before hosting league leaders Arsenal five days later.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy / Broer van den Boom/Orange Pictures / ANP MAURICE VAN STONE

Topics: Liverpool, Cody Gakpo, Virgil Van Dijk, Netherlands, Premier League

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

5 hours ago
6 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • 5 hours ago

    Erik ten Hag to get rid of Bayer Leverkusen player for the second time after selling him to the club while in charge of Man Utd

    Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag looks poised to get rid of the same player for two different clubs.

    Football
  • 6 hours ago

    Fans lose their minds and say 'announce Yamal' after Barcelona superstar spotted in Premier League club's shirt

    Lamine Yamal sent fans wild this week after being seen in an iconic English football shirt.

    Football
  • 6 hours ago

    Sir Alex Ferguson ripped into former Man Utd star for what he allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to do

    Sir Alex Ferguson lectured the former Manchester United player following the incident with Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Football
  • 9 hours ago

    Football legend reveals he was on the verge of signing for Man Utd after idolising Old Trafford star for years

    The player represented the likes of Barcelona, Inter and AC Milan during his career but never got the chance to play for Manchester United.

    Football
  • Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk sent home from Netherlands squad on eve of Bosnia clash
  • Ronald Koeman reveals what Virgil van Dijk has told him about leaving Liverpool while on Netherlands duty
  • Virgil van Dijk drops huge bombshell on his Liverpool future after Netherlands exit Euro 2024
  • Virgil van Dijk gives worrying update on Liverpool future